New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘DANHAR305’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Impatiens  cultivar named ‘DANHAR305’ is disclosed, characterized by having a compact plant habit, free branching and distinct orange flowers with a white center. The new variety is an  Impatiens , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Impatiens hawkeri.

Variety denomination: ‘DANHAR305 ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Impatiens cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new varieties of Impatiens for commercial introduction. The crossing resulting in the new cultivar was made in January 2006. The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Impatiens hawkeri ‘NGT-5-403.’ The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Impatiens hawkeri ‘NGT-5-776.’ The new variety was discovered in July 2006 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from that crossing, in a commercial greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed at a commercial greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in July 2006. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DANHAR305.’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DANHAR305’ as a new and distinct Impatiens cultivar:

-   -   1. Orange colored flowers .     -   2. Unique large white center of flower.     -   3. Free branching.     -   4. Compact growth habit.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, ‘NGT-5-403’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ have a more compact plant habit and earlier flowering. Additionally, the new variety produces flowers with a distinctive white eye, compared to a solid orange flower of the seed parent variety.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, ‘NGT-5-776’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ have a more compact plant habit, smaller flowers and flower earlier.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ can be compared to the commercial variety ‘DANHARCREAM,’ unpatented in the United States. Plants of ‘DANHAR305’ are similar to plants of ‘DANHARCREAM’, in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ have a darker color flower, a less vigorous growth habit and lighter colored leaves.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ can be compared to the commercial variety ‘DANHAR276,’ unpatented in the United States. Plants of ‘DANHAR305’ are similar to plants of ‘DANHAR276’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DANHAR305’ have flower petals in a lighter color, and different color pattern, a less vigorous growth habit and lighter colored leaves.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photographs in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DANHAR305’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 12 cm pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical flower of ‘DANHAR305.’ Age of the plant photographed is approximately 12 weeks from a rooted cutting, with 1 rooted cutting planted in the pot shown. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DANHAR305’ plants grown in a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from day temperatures of 20° C. to 30° C., and night temperatures of 15° C. to 20° C. The greenhouse is unshaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions. No growth regulators or artificial light treatments were given. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Impatiens hawkeri cultivar ‘DANHAR305’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Summer: About 7 to 10 days at approximately     25° C. Winter: About 10 to 14 days at approximately 20° C. -   Root description: Fibrous.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Round and compact, very good branching. -   Pot size of plant described: 12 cm. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 12 weeks from a rooted     cutting. -   Height: Approximately 13 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 30 cm. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Branching characteristics: Highly branched. -   Length of primary lateral branches: Approximately 10 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: Average 8. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow Green 146D.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Strength.—Strong, resists breaking. -   Internode length: Approximately 3 to 4 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 15-20 per branch.         -   Average length.—Approximately 9.0 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Lanceolate to ovate.         -   Apex.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Crenate.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—none.         -   Aspect.—45 degrees.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137A. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green Group 138B. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green Group 137A. Mature             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138D.         -   Venation.—Upper surface: Pinnate. Strong midrib with             secondary veins. Lower surface: Pinnate. Venation color             upper side: Near RHS Yellow Green 149D. Venation color under             side: Near RHS Yellow Green 147D.         -   Petiole.—Length: Approximately 1.5 cm. Diameter:             Approximately 0.2 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow Green 147D.             Texture: Smooth.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowers at any day length. All year round     in a greenhouse environment. Flowering is continuous from spring     until fall in an outdoor garden. -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: Approximately 10 weeks. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Single flowers raised above     the foliage. The corolla consists of five petals. -   Rate of flower opening: 10 to 15 days from bud to fully opened     flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: 5-7 days. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-Cleaning. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Orange Red Group 34D. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.5 cm.         -   Depth.—Approximately 0.3 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Overlapping.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 4 cm.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Apex.—Heart shape.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture, upper and lower surfaces.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Orange. When opening, upper surface: Near RHS Orange             Red 32A with White N155B. When opening, lower surface: Near             RHS Red 40D. Fully opened, upper surface: Near RHS Red Group             32A with White N155B. Fully opened, lower surface: Near RHS             Red 44D with Red Group 41D. -   Spurs:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—1.         -   Length.—6 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Aspect.—Spur curvature 40°-45° from peduncle.         -   Color.—Towards base: Near RHS Orange Red 35D. Apex: Near             Yellow Green 147D. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—2.         -   Length.—1.5 cm.         -   Width.—0.5 cm.         -   Shape (overall).—Oblong. Apex: Acute. Base: Rounded.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow Green 145C. -   Peduncles:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 6 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.1 cm.         -   Angle.—About 45° to the lateral branch.         -   Strength.—Strong, flexible.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Near RHS Yellow Green 145A. -   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: There are five stamens with introrse anthers that are more     or less fused and form a cap over the ovary.     -   -   Number.—5. -   Anthers:     -   -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Length.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS white 155D.         -   Pollen.—Color: Near RHS White N155B. Quantity: Profuse. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—0.5 cm.         -   Style.—Length: 0.4 cm. Color: Near RHS Yellow Green 146C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Round. Color: Near RHS Green-yellow group 1D.             Ovary Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: 10 to 20 seeds per fruit.     -   -   Seed.—Length: 2 mm. Diameter: 2 mm. Shape: Ovate. Texture:             Puberulous. Color: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 17A.         -   Fruit.—Shape: Elliptic. Color: Near RHS Green 143C. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     normal diseases and pests of Impatiens have been observed. -   Temperature tolerance: The new variety tolerates temperatures     between 10 to 30° C. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘DANHAR305’ as herein illustrated and described. 